Scientific Technician (Greenhouse & Facilities Manager)

Havens Alliance Group - Executive & Technology Talent Solutions; West Haven (CT); On-site; USD 51,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Scientific Technician to oversee greenhouse operations and manage facilities. This role involves collaborating with faculty and staff to ensure the effective maintenance of plant collections for research and education. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in plant biology, excellent management skills, and a commitment to safety protocols. Join a vibrant academic community that values diversity and inclusion, and enjoy a range of benefits including a full pension and generous vacation time. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to innovative research while fostering educational growth.

Benefits

Full pension

Three weeks of vacation annually

Employee and Family Assistance Program

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience in greenhouses or plant propagation.
• Knowledge of safety protocols in potentially hazardous environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage greenhouse operations and staff, ensuring plant health and safety.
• Coordinate with faculty and external contractors for maintenance and repairs.
• Engage with students to promote the greenhouse and develop a gardening club.

Skills

Plant Propagation

Greenhouse Management

Plant Taxonomy

Pest Control

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Botany, or Plant Biology

Master's degree in Biology, Botany, or Plant Biology

Tools

WHMIS Certification

First Aid Certification

Job description

Closing Date: May 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

The Biology Department is a unit in the Faculty of Science at the Fredericton campus. There are 26 Faculty and 8 staff members all working out of the Loring Baily Hall Building. The role of the Department is to conduct original research, which includes projects on a diverse range of experimental organisms and ecology, and to provide high-quality educational opportunities for graduate (PhD, MSc) and undergraduate students.

WHAT WE OFFER

Full-time | Continuing | Fredericton | On-Campus

Standard Work Hours: Mon - Fri | 8:00 am - 4:00 pm | 36.25 hours per week (Summer Hours)

Additional Working Conditions:

• Requires 24/7 on-call availability to respond to issues in the greenhouse, aquatic facility, and other building systems.
• Possess or obtain WHMIS and First Aid certification.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 25 Kg.

Salary Range: $51,924 - $67,489 per annum

YOUR FOCUS

Reporting to Chair of Biology, the Scientific Technician (Greenhouse & Facilities Manager) works closely with the faculty, staff, other UNB employees, and external contractors to ensure the facilities and equipment are working to allow us to meet our needs.

• Operate a complex greenhouse facility focused on the collection, maintenance, and propagation of tropical, horticultural, agricultural, and indigenous plants for teaching, research, lab development, and public display.
• Clean, pot, transplant, prune, water, fertilize, and organize plant collections.
• Apply pest control measures to ensure plant health.
• Support botany and plant ecology teaching labs, as well as faculty and student research projects.
• Advise and serve as a resource contact for faculty.
• Manage all aspects of greenhouse operations, staffing, and maintenance, including the pedway linking Bailey Hall and the IUC.
• Interview, hire, train, evaluate, and coordinate 1-2 part-time staff.
• Train greenhouse assistants, students, and users in greenhouse procedures, WHMIS, and safety practices.
• Manage greenhouse budget and purchases new or replacement equipment and materials.
• Engage in outreach with undergraduates to develop a gardening club that promotes use of the facility and build awareness.
• Monitor research, teaching, and common areas in Loring Bailey Hall under the Department of Biology's oversight.
• Oversee building systems including rooftop greenhouse, aquatic facility, biohazard rooms, chemical storage, controlled temperature rooms, cooling, heating, chilled water, air handling, compressed air, and deionized water systems.
• Coordinate with Capital Planning & Operations and external contractors to arrange repairs and maintenance.
• Conduct daily checks and performs routine maintenance to ensure building systems remain operational.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to advise on funding proposals for renovations or equipment acquisition, including gathering quotes and offering space-use recommendations.
• Participate in departmental committees such as space and safety, and completes other administrative tasks as needed.
• Assist with lab preparation for undergraduate courses involving plant specimens.
• Prepare plant samples and helps set up greenhouse experiments.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Botany, or Plant Biology
• 3-5 years experience working in greenhouses, plant propagation, or plant taxonomy.

Additional Strengths:

• Master's degree in Biology, Botany, or Plant Biology is considered a strong asset.
• Experience in general mechanical systems monitoring and/or maintenance would be an asset.
• Knowledge of and adherence to safety protocols when handling instruments and working in potentially hazardous environments.
• Able to efficiently manage repair schedules and prioritizing tasks.

Additional Information

WHY CHOOSE UNB?

UNB offers a large variety of benefits for employees, including a full pension, a minimum of three weeks of vacation annually, the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), and dental, life, and health insurance.

PROFESSIONAL & TECHNICAL STAFF UNION (PTSU)

This position is part of the PSAC, Local 60551 employee group and falls under the PTSU Collective Agreement.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

The University of New Brunswick and PSAC/PTSU Local 60551 are committed to employment equity and fostering diversity within our community and developing an inclusive workplace that reflects the richness of the broader community that we serve. The University welcomes and encourages applications from all qualified individuals who will help us achieve our goals, including women, visible minorities, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

We thank all who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.